by Paul Dame

Recently, a few extreme Progressives in Vermont have demonstrated why Democrats across the country are losing favor with the American people. In just the last two weeks, at least four elected Democrats have put activism ahead of their responsibility to serve their constituents. One Democrat might be an outlier, two could be a coincidence, but four elected Democrats shirking their duties demonstrates an alarming pattern. Every voter in Vermont should be questioning whether their local Democrat is committed to serving their district or simply advancing a personal ideological agenda.

Vermonters expect their legislators to listen to all sides and make the best policy decisions within our means—without playing favorites. This expectation was violated when two Addison County Democrats in the House, Rep. Mari Cordes and Rep. Jubilee McGill, were caught publicly coordinating a disruptive counter-protest that described itself as “rebellious” and a “takeover.” A group had reserved space in the State House to present information based on personal experiences from other states. Ideally, every Vermonter wants their legislator to listen to all sides of an issue because even minority perspectives can help improve legislation. But when deep disagreements arise, voters at the very least expect their legislators to be respectful. Instead, Rep. Cordes and Rep. McGill used social media to help coordinate an intentionally disruptive scene that gained national attention as it descended into a raucous shouting match. Passionate debate is expected, but lawmakers should rise above the fray—not stoke division and chaos.

Vermonters expect their legislators to conduct themselves ethically and obey the law. This expectation was violated when Progressive/Democrat Rep. Kate Logan of Burlington abandoned her duties as a state legislator to travel to Washington, D.C., while the Vermont House was in session. She joined a protest for a federal issue, disregarded police warnings, and was arrested for “unlawful demonstration.” Beyond violating the law in D.C., she likely violated House Rule 10, which requires legislators to be present in Montpelier “unless sick or otherwise necessarily detained.” While she was off engaging in activism, Republicans in Montpelier were working on public safety legislation, and Logan missed a critical roll call vote on a bill affecting criminal accountability in Vermont.

Vermonters expect their legislators to prioritize issues affecting us here at home—where they have actual influence. But this week, Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky jetted off to London to give a speech about Ukraine. Even in a Facebook reel promoting her visit, she prioritized her activist credentials over her legislative work. And it’s not just words—her actions prove where her focus lies. While Vermonters wait for action on the future of the Global Warming Solutions Act and the Clean Heat Standard, that work is stalled in the Senate until Sen. Vyhovsky returns from her activism abroad. Vermonters appreciate legislators who are passionate about causes, but it’s another thing entirely to leave the chamber during crossover—one of the most critical legislative periods of the year—to engage in geopolitical activism that is beyond her scope as a Vermont senator. While she likely won’t submit per diem or travel expenses for her trip, Vermont taxpayers are still footing the bill for her weekly salary while she ignores the pressing issues affecting Vermonters.

It’s becoming clearer every day: Democrats in Vermont are big—very big—on making statements and putting on a show. But what they have been very light on this year is actually solving problems. Last week, Republicans held a press conference highlighting all the bills we have in committee that are being ignored—bills that address the issues voters sent us to Montpelier to tackle. Meanwhile, Democrats seem determined to maintain the status quo. They travel the country and the world speaking about problems they have no control over while doing nothing about the problems they could solve right here in Vermont.

The solutions are not complicated. To get more people housed, we need to build more homes, which means cutting red tape to make the process predictable. To improve public safety, we need better enforcement and must prevent criminals from operating with virtual immunity. To fix education spending, we need to cut duplicative administrative and local spending with local taxes.

The reason Democrats have made virtually no progress on these issues is simple: many are not in the legislature to solve problems. They are there to elevate their activist profiles, secure more media attention, and earn invitations to international conferences. Their ideological framework prevents them from accepting that their policies are failing—or perhaps, making problems worse. In states like California and New York, entrenched incumbents have refused to face reality. But Vermonters are more practical and pragmatic.

The Vermont Republican Party is quickly becoming the best option for common-sense centrists who are tired of empty talk and performative politics. Vermonters deserve lawmakers who focus on basic, good governance—right here at home, where we can take care of ourselves first. And Vermont Republicans, led by Governor Phil Scott, are ready to answer that call and do the work.

The author is an Essex Junction resident and chair of the Vermont Republican Party.